WASHINGTON D.C. — In a stunning reversal of years of hostile diplomacy, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Wednesday that it has officially removed all sanctions against Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
The move is the clearest sign yet that Washington has successfully “warmed” to the new leadership in Caracas following the high-stakes abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026.
The Road to Compliance
While Rodriguez was once one of Maduro’s fiercest allies, her relationship with the Trump administration has undergone a 180-degree transformation.
- From Threats to Praise: Only months ago, President Trump warned Rodriguez she would face a “higher price” than Maduro if she resisted. Today, he describes their relationship as “very good.”
- Formal Recognition: Last month, the U.S. officially recognized Rodriguez’s interim government, granting her control over Venezuela’s lucrative foreign assets, including Citgo Petroleum.
Oil and Gold: The Cost of Cooperation
The lifting of sanctions appears to be a “reward” for significant concessions made by Rodriguez to stabilize the U.S. economy and energy sector.
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- The Oil Sector: Rodriguez has reopened Venezuela’s massive oil reserves—the world’s largest—to American companies. However, the proceeds are currently being diverted into restricted, U.S. Treasury-run accounts.
- The Gold Deal: In March, Rodriguez agreed to sell roughly $100 million in physical gold to the U.S. to secure critical mineral supply chains.
- Political Prisoners: To further align with Washington, she recently ordered the release of over 400 detainees categorized by the U.S. as political prisoners.
Maduro’s Fate
Meanwhile, Nicolas Maduro remains in U.S. custody in New York City. Facing charges of narcoterrorism and cocaine trafficking—which he continues to deny—his legal team has characterized his capture as an “illegal kidnapping.” His presence in a U.S. jail cell continues to serve as a powerful “stick” in Washington’s ongoing negotiations with the remaining leadership in Caracas.
